-pus-

n. (Anc. Armor) A piece of armor for the breast; often, an addition to, or reënforcement of. the breastplate; -- called also pesane. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Ch. of Eng.) The principles of Dr. Pusey and others at Oxford, England, as exhibited in various publications, esp. in a series which appeared from 1833 to 1841, designated “ Tracts for the Times;” tractarianism. See Tractarianism. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Of or pertaining to Puseyism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who holds the principles of Puseyism; -- often used opprobriously. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pushed p. pr. & vb. n. Pushing. ] [ OE. possen, pussen, F. pousser, fr. L. pulsare, v. intens. fr. pellere, pulsum, to beat, knock, push. See Pulse a beating, and cf. Pursy. ] 1. To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; -- opposed to draw. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned. Ex. xxi. 32. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far. “ To push his fortune.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are pushed for an answer. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease. [ 1913 Webster ]

To push down, to overthrow by pushing or impulse. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed. [ 1913 Webster ]

At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him. Dan. xi. 40. [ 1913 Webster ]

War seemed asleep for nine long years; at length
Both sides resolved to push, we tried our strength. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To burst pot, as a bud or shoot. [ 1913 Webster ]

To push on, to drive or urge forward; to hasten. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rider pushed on at a rapid pace. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Probably F. poche. See Pouch. ] A pustule; a pimple. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

When it comes to the push, 'tis no more than talk. L' Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Thrust. [ 1913 Webster ]